Season Preview: Kodiaks women’s volleyball reloads for 2025-26

The numbers just didn’t add up for the Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks women’s volleyball team last season.

The Kodiaks finished the 2024-25 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) season in a tie for fifth in the South Division with a 4-15 record. The reason was simple: lack of bodies.

“Last year we had some players who decided to step down so we ended up finishing the season with only nine healthy bodies,” said Kodiaks’ assistant coach Steve Ivan, who has been with the program for more than 20 years. “We had some injuries at the end of the season as well so we ended up having to play some players out of position.

“We actually finished the season on a high note, which was awesome to see. The group that was there at the end really bonded and decided to come back and play again this year.”

In an effort to avoid a repeat of last season, Kodiaks’ head coach Anna Schwark wasted little time in starting to recruit and it’s resulted in 10 new players joining the program.

“We’re returning a good core, but then we had to fill some spots,” said Ivan. “We had to do a lot of work in the offseason and that started back in January. We’re super excited with the talent we’ve brought in, that’s a positive. And the leadership group we have with the girls who have returned is just a good, positive influence on the new girls that are coming in.”

One of the newcomers is libero Madison Yates (first year, General Arts and Science – Psychology, Sociology, Swift Current, Sask.).

“Maddie is one who could potentially be a starter,” said Ivan. “We have a returning libero who is a fourth-year who is phenomenal so it’s good to have the competition for that spot. Either of them could be starting. We’ve gone in the past starting two liberos but we’re not sure we’re going to do.”

The fourth-year setter is Reese Hanusich (fourth year, General Arts and Science, Red Deer) who will be a go-to for the Kodiak coaches this season, said Ivan.

A player who brings experience with her in her first year with the Kodiaks is middle Sophia Janzen (third year, Agriculture Sciences, Carseland).

“Sophia played a year at Keyano and she was here last year, so she came out and played a little bit with us in the spring when we were short of players,” said Ivan. “She enjoyed it, so she decided to make the move and come back. She’s got a little bit of experience in the ACAC so she’s one who could be a starter for us and make a good impact.”

Returning on the left side is outside hitter Robyn Austin (second year, Business Administration, Chinook High School).

“Robyn came in last year as a first-year, was put under fire early and she had to step up right away because we didn’t have a lot of players in that position,” said Ivan. “She was just outstanding all season.”

Another player expected to start this season is middle Emma Blumenschein (fourth year, Bachelor of Nursing, Spruce Grove).

“The feeling this year is different than last year because we have a bigger roster,” said Ivan. “All the girls that are here have really bought in. They have that positive outlook and they know it’s going to be different because there’s more competition.

“With our good leadership and the recruits that came in, everybody is pretty excited. It’s still going to be a challenge bringing in this many first-years and having them make an impact right out of the gate. This league is tough, they’re going to have to step up right away and we know that, but I think this is a group that’s really going to push it and try to be successful.”

With the number of new faces, the Kodiaks can build a strong core for the future.

“We recruited a lot of talent from outside the area this year and brought in only one local,” said Ivan. “Lethbridge has such a good program here and I think going forward there is some local talent we’re looking at already for next year that we’re pretty excited about.”

Kodiaks will open the ACAC regular season on Oct. 18 when they host Concordia University of Edmonton. Ivan said they expect several teams to be very competitive in the South, including Red Deer, Ambrose, SAIT, Medicine Hat and Briercrest. In the North, NAIT and Lakeland will lead the way.